Bailey Smith has the tools to make an immediate impact at the Western Bulldogs

BAILEY Smith shook hands with captain Easton Wood, chatted to coach Luke Beveridge and congratulated Marcus Bontempelli on his new contract. From that moment, he was set on becoming a Dog.

BAILEY Smith’s parents drove him to Whitten Oval last Tuesday for an 11th-hour meeting with the Western Bulldogs.

Vic Metro’s best midfielder shook hands with captain Easton Wood, chatted to coach Luke Beveridge about his recent exams and congratulated Marcus Bontempelli on re-signing that morning.

Smith was already fond of fellow Xavier College schoolboy Billy Gowers and by the time he climbed into the car to go home, he felt like a Bulldog.

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“There was sort of no going back for me,” Smith, who is still 17 and doesn’t have his driver’s licence, said.

“I really wanted to become a Dog. I was just hoping I’d be coming in to see ‘The Bont’ next week as a teammate, which I will.

“I’m so pumped and just rapt that I’m a Dog.”

The Bulldogs used their No. 7 draft pick — their earliest selection since securing Bontempelli in 2013 — on Smith.

Bailey Smith poses with Western Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood. Picture: Getty Images

“We were surprised he was still there,” Dogs list boss Sam Power said.

“Bailey’s just got a massive workrate. There’s not too much he does wrong, really.

“He’s got reasonable speed, elite endurance, his touch around the ball is pretty good and he’s a good kick.”

Beveridge doesn’t waste time with his top draft picks.

Josh Dunkley played in a premiership in his first season and last year’s first-rounders — Aaron Naughton and Ed Richards — combined for 39 games.

Smith is expected to add another lick of outside class next year, joining best best-and-fairest trifecta Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae and Bontempelli.

“He’s also got flexibility, and that’s one of the elements with Bailey that really appeals,” Power said.

“Long-term he’ll become a midfielder but initially he’s got the ability to play half-forward or half-back or on the wing.”

Smith — who is likely to move in with Wood until Christmas — averaged 176 SuperCoach points from his two TAC Cup games this year.

Bailey Smith in action for Vic Metro. Picture: Getty Images

While an Achilles injury prematurely ended his year, the dedicated midfielder declared himself fit for pre-season.

The grandson of 1943 Richmond premiership player Leo Merrett is yet to crack open a beer, likes to cram in running and weights sessions most days and carefully fuels himself to maximise “brain function” and sustained energy.

As for his specialty in the kitchen?

“Eye fillet with mash and a red wine jus,” he said.

Originally published as Bailey Smith has the tools to make an immediate impact at the Western Bulldogs